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Home > Plugged In > Archives > 2008 > June > 09 > Entry
Live from Apple WWDC
I’m here at Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference at San Francisco, where Steve Jobs just unveiled the new Apple iPhone 2.0 software that takes direct aim at the de facto phone-email device for business users: The Blackberry.
Jobs says the new iPhone software will offer all the goodies of previous iPhones - music and video players, a touch screen and all the rest. But the iPhone software also boasts faster speeds, better e-mail service and works seamlessly with Microsoft Corp. business software programs such as Exchange and Excel. It also supports Cisco Inc.’s VPN security system that’s standard in the business world.
Many business users have wanted get double-duty out of their iPhones, but until now, iPhones haven’t supported the standard business software programs from Microsoft, Cisco and others.
Jobs hasn’t said anything specifically yet about taking on Research In Motion’s Blackberry. But its clear his aim is RIM.
More to come….
UPDATE: Apple isn’t forgetting about the fun side of iPhone as it tries to move further into the business world.
Right now Apple and its partners are showing off new applications that will be now be available through Apple’s new iPhone 2.0 software.
Among them, a new version of Sega’s “Super Monkey Ball” game that uses the iPhone itself as a game controller; new blogging software from TypePad; a new “Mobile News Network” (MNN??) from the Associated Press that gets you local news from local sources automatically where you are, thanks to location-based services baked into the Apple software. Some of the services - like the Associated Press’s - are free. Others, like the Sega game, can be downloaded for about $10.
UPDATE: Jobs just showed off a new system that will let business users and others to create their own company-specific applications and distribute them only to their company iPhones.
He also showed off new additions to the iPhone deck, including a new parental controls feature, full compatibility with MS Office, Apple’s iWork software suite, and a scientific calculator.
Jobs’ side kick, Apple VP Phil Shiller, also is now showing off “Mobile Me,” a new $99 a year e-mail application that is he says brings all the features of Microsoft’s Exchange server software to the iPhone, using the Internet. He bills “Mobile Me” as “Exchange for the rest of us,” - playing off of one of Apple’s early marketing hooks for its computers.
Job says the new iPhone 2.0 software platform will be available beginning in early July. It will be free for exisiting iPhone users, and cost about $10 for users of Apple’s iTouch device.
Comments
By John
June 9, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
what abt 3g iphone? announced?
By ethel corn
June 9, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Wow! A fantastic product and now at half the price. Plus it’s even faster. This is truly the free market at its best. Can’t wait till July 11th. Bet even Ayn Rand lines up for this one. ;) Congrats. to Apple and consumers everywhere.
By ethel corn
June 9, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
Wow! A fantastic product and now at half the price. Plus it’s even faster. This is truly the free market at its best. Can’t wait till July 11th. Bet even Ayn Rand lines up for this one. ;) Congrats. to Apple and consumers everywhere.